June 26, 2008

Music is only interesting when there's contrast. Here's a few ways you can create contrast in your music:

Dynamics Loud vs. soft

Sound vs SilenceThis is really just an extension of dynamics, but in practice it's quite different

TextureThe tone and mix of all the instruments together

TimbreThe way a specific instrument sounds

ArrangementWhich instruments play which parts.

RhythmicPretty self explanatory. Use different rhythms, time signatures, etc.

DissonanceThe difference between consonant and dissonant notes/chords

EnvelopeThe volume of each note over time. For instance, a drum has a very fast attack (the pop) with a fast decay and a very quiet sustain that lasts a second or so. On the other hand, the human voice has a long attack that sounds almost like a fade in. You can vary the envelope using dynamics processors like compressors.

There are also a few ways to create additional contrast that you can add in post production.

PanningMoving the sound from left to right. This is a HUGE thing in mixing. One of the most common things amateur musicians do wrong when mixing their own music is leaving everything panned center, or very close to center.

That all being said, keep in mind that repetition is what makes music memorable, and familiar. For a few ideas on how to create lots of contract and still have repetition just listen to your favorite song. If it didn't have both of those things, you wouldn't like it (I can't say for sure since I probably don't know you, but if you're like every single person I've ever met it's true *wink*)

All in all what makes music interesting is contrast and repetition. weird huh?